One of our awesome South Campus sixth graders took a couple of amazing risks I want to talk to you about. Victoria (or Tori as we call her) went on a two day retreat with her classmates to Beulah Beach in Vermillion, Ohio at the beginning of this school year.
One of the first activities was to put on rubber boots and walk through the lagoon. Our leader pointed out all the cool things that grow and live in a lagoon, as we pushed through high grass, cattails and all kinds of colorful undergrowth.
One problem: mud. Just as we thought we were coming to the end of our journey on the nice dry path, we encountered calf-high mud for about 400 yards. Tori put her foot down; and when she pulled it back up, her boot was nowhere to be found. Yep, we were stuck in the mud.
Fortunately, Mr. Lamm and I located her boot by digging with our hands beneath the mirky water of the lagoon for a few minutes. Tori steadied herself by leaning on us, while she was trying to keep her balance on one foot. Boot back in place, we began moving step by step until we were finally back on dry land. There was a while, however, when we didn't know if we'd make it or not! Whew!
Another of the cool activities on our retreat was called "zip line." It was sort of the opposite of the lagoon walk. It started by climbing a very tall ladder so that from that high perch, we were looking over the lagoon which was 100 feet below. Strapped to a cable, we were supposed jump off the ladder, free fall for a couple seconds and then sail through the open air over the lagoon. If everything works, we were supposed to land 100 yards away on the Lake Erie Beach.
Tori looked up at her friends free falling off the ladder and said, "I don't think so." I found out that Mrs. Crocker is pretty good at talking people into things though; because the next thing I knew, Tori had a helmet on and was on top of the ladder getting ready to jump! She thought about it a while and then suddenly leaped into mid air, soared over the lagoon and in seconds was caught by Mr. Barrett 100 yards away on the beach. Awesome!
Tori's two big risks got me to thinkin'. Sometimes in your friendship to Jesus you may feel like you are "stuck in the mud." Yes, you may be going to church and Christian school. You might even be memorizing your verses for class and your mid-week AWANA or Kid's Club program, but you don't seem to be getting anywhere fast. It seems like the same old stuff over and over again. When you feel this way, keep taking the next step, God will teach you amazing things when you keep moving ahead with Him by being faithful.
The next thing you know you'll be able to see the meaning of that time "in the mud." God will let you understand it, as He gives you His thoughts about it. Isaiah 55:9 says, "For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts are higher than your thoughts." That's God talking! He sees things from high on "His ladder"; He looks down on the "lagoons" of our life and can direct us through them and teach us what they mean.
Just like Tori took the risk to keep moving in the mud, you and I can ask God to teach us when we feel stuck. Our school verse says, "But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles... (Isaiah 40:31)." And Isaiah finishes his great song in Isaiah 55 by saying, "You will live in joy and peace. The mountains will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! These events will bring great honor to the Lord's name; they will be an everlasting sign of His power and love."
Let's pray that back to Him, Okay? Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the times of soaring high and the times of feeling stuck. We know that You can use both these kinds of times to bring honor to Yourself through our lives. Help us to understand Your thoughts, so we can look down on the "lagoons and eventually soar over them" with Your "joy and peace." In Jesus' name, Amen.
Proud of you,
Pastor Wilson
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
"In to Win"
Wow! It's been a while since we've been here together. I am returning with the goal of you and I visiting at least once a week about one of the remarkable things happening in the hallways, classrooms, chapels and athletic venues of Chapel Hill Christian School.
I am reminded this morning of a story I wanted to tell you way back in the spring of last year. It's all about The Big Green Machine. That's right - our South Campus Green Volleyball Team. As I recall they "ran the table" last year. That means they did not lose a game throughout the entire season. No losses in the regular season - no losses in the tournament.
And yes, they were The Big Green Machine because their jerseys were green, their coaches wore green sweaters and bright green beads for bling, and the players painted their hair and faces green. At the end of every game they victoriously slid on their knee pads like a wave of green under net to shake hands with their opponents.
But why were they so successful? Why couldn't they be beaten? It was because they served the ball in bounds. It seems so simple, but it's definitely the way to win volleyball games in our league.
Gabe served a bullet. Chris served a knuckleball. Aliah and Maddie served beautiful rainbows. But then there was Robert. Robert served a left-handed curveball that just when you thought it was coming to you, and you closed your eyes and braced yourself to dig it; it hit the player next to you right in the face. They all "served it in."
It all got me to thinkin'! When we stay within the lines of God's commands through His Word and by His Holy Spirit, there is God's protection, God's blessing and God's fruitfulness. When we ignore Him we are setting the course of lives toward going out-of-bounds.
Psalm 1 talks about this: "his delight is in the Law of the Lord and on His Law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."
That's what I want my life to look like - how about you? A tree that is flowering and bearing fruit because I am planted by God and the instructions in His Word.
When we live within these guidelines, it's just like "serving it in!" And when we "serve it in", it's kinda like The Big Green Machine, we'll see victory after victory in our lives with the Lord!
Let's pray about that, OK? Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Word. It gives us such good boundaries on how to live our lives. Help everyone of us to live inside the safety and guidance of Your instructions. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Proud of you,
Pastor Wilson
I am reminded this morning of a story I wanted to tell you way back in the spring of last year. It's all about The Big Green Machine. That's right - our South Campus Green Volleyball Team. As I recall they "ran the table" last year. That means they did not lose a game throughout the entire season. No losses in the regular season - no losses in the tournament.
And yes, they were The Big Green Machine because their jerseys were green, their coaches wore green sweaters and bright green beads for bling, and the players painted their hair and faces green. At the end of every game they victoriously slid on their knee pads like a wave of green under net to shake hands with their opponents.
But why were they so successful? Why couldn't they be beaten? It was because they served the ball in bounds. It seems so simple, but it's definitely the way to win volleyball games in our league.
Gabe served a bullet. Chris served a knuckleball. Aliah and Maddie served beautiful rainbows. But then there was Robert. Robert served a left-handed curveball that just when you thought it was coming to you, and you closed your eyes and braced yourself to dig it; it hit the player next to you right in the face. They all "served it in."
It all got me to thinkin'! When we stay within the lines of God's commands through His Word and by His Holy Spirit, there is God's protection, God's blessing and God's fruitfulness. When we ignore Him we are setting the course of lives toward going out-of-bounds.
Psalm 1 talks about this: "his delight is in the Law of the Lord and on His Law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."
That's what I want my life to look like - how about you? A tree that is flowering and bearing fruit because I am planted by God and the instructions in His Word.
When we live within these guidelines, it's just like "serving it in!" And when we "serve it in", it's kinda like The Big Green Machine, we'll see victory after victory in our lives with the Lord!
Let's pray about that, OK? Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Word. It gives us such good boundaries on how to live our lives. Help everyone of us to live inside the safety and guidance of Your instructions. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Proud of you,
Pastor Wilson
Friday, March 30, 2012
Blues Got The Joy
We've made it through another intramural volleyball season!
The Big Green Machine from our South Campus reigned victorious this year, and I will write to you about them shortly.
In the meanwhile, I'd like to tell you something I saw that has to do with the Blue Team. The Blues had the JOY!
Now that's pretty interesting given that the Blues won a grand total of zero matches over the course of the season. We're talkin' egg (Get it? An egg is sort of round and looks like a zero)!
How come they're happy, or even more, how'd they get the JOY?
It was the coaches.
Mr. Hank, Mr. Eric and Miss Mary knew that when the season started that they had very few players that could get a serve over the net. They knew that only a couple of their team had much interest in the win-loss records of our intramural volleyball teams. They knew that things more important than volleyball would have to become primary in order for their team to be successful.
They began to inject joy. During one of their practices, I heard a loud commotion in the gym. I got up to check it out. What I found was coaches and kids laughing and playing hysterically together. The coaches were shouting joy; they were assigning nicknames; and they were doing weird drills. The kids were having a blast. The players were bonding to these coaches, and the players were bonding to one another.
At their final match they came O SO CLOSE to winning! But even in a close defeat in which they almost tasted numerical victory, they could look over at their coaches and receive "the joy." I call that a WIN!
Stuff like this always gets me to thinkin'. I am reminded of John 15, you remember, the one about the Vine and the branches. As long as the branches (that's us) remain in the Vine (that's Jesus), we will bear much fruit. Apart from the Vine (that's Jesus) the branches (that's us) can do nothing.
As long as the Blues had the mindset and affirmation of those three coaches, they had the JOY.
Jesus said, "If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father's commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
I call that downright awesome! Let's pray about it! Dear Lord, thank You for providing Your complete joy and unconditional affirmation to us at all times. And even when things are not going how we would like, we are so grateful that if we remain in You, we can show the fruit of Your Spirit to everyone who 's watching. In Jesus' name, Amen
Proud of you,
Pastor Wilson
The Big Green Machine from our South Campus reigned victorious this year, and I will write to you about them shortly.
In the meanwhile, I'd like to tell you something I saw that has to do with the Blue Team. The Blues had the JOY!
Now that's pretty interesting given that the Blues won a grand total of zero matches over the course of the season. We're talkin' egg (Get it? An egg is sort of round and looks like a zero)!
How come they're happy, or even more, how'd they get the JOY?
It was the coaches.
Mr. Hank, Mr. Eric and Miss Mary knew that when the season started that they had very few players that could get a serve over the net. They knew that only a couple of their team had much interest in the win-loss records of our intramural volleyball teams. They knew that things more important than volleyball would have to become primary in order for their team to be successful.
They began to inject joy. During one of their practices, I heard a loud commotion in the gym. I got up to check it out. What I found was coaches and kids laughing and playing hysterically together. The coaches were shouting joy; they were assigning nicknames; and they were doing weird drills. The kids were having a blast. The players were bonding to these coaches, and the players were bonding to one another.
At their final match they came O SO CLOSE to winning! But even in a close defeat in which they almost tasted numerical victory, they could look over at their coaches and receive "the joy." I call that a WIN!
Stuff like this always gets me to thinkin'. I am reminded of John 15, you remember, the one about the Vine and the branches. As long as the branches (that's us) remain in the Vine (that's Jesus), we will bear much fruit. Apart from the Vine (that's Jesus) the branches (that's us) can do nothing.
As long as the Blues had the mindset and affirmation of those three coaches, they had the JOY.
Jesus said, "If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father's commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
I call that downright awesome! Let's pray about it! Dear Lord, thank You for providing Your complete joy and unconditional affirmation to us at all times. And even when things are not going how we would like, we are so grateful that if we remain in You, we can show the fruit of Your Spirit to everyone who 's watching. In Jesus' name, Amen
Proud of you,
Pastor Wilson
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
In His Presence
There are times that I wish everyone could be there to see something that just a few of us get to see.
So it was a couple of Thursdays ago. Some of you were there - about 40 singers from our South Campus, 3 young men from our North Campus, one teacher and a dozen chaperoning moms were on hand.
What happened? Well, let me try to tell you, but let me warn you in advance - it might be one of those "I guess you had to be there" times.
Seventh and Eighth grade Chaplains from CVCA came to our South Campus to give a wonderful chapel. Ian Yoder, a CHCS graduate, did much of the speaking. Wow, we were sure proud of him! Many of the students on the CVCA ministry team were CHCS graduates as well. In the process we were invited to lead in a chapel for CVCA seventh and eighth graders.
The day arrived - Thursday, March 8th. We loaded our Worship Team on the bus. Now, our Worship Team doesn't consist of two singers, a guitar player, a guy on bass and a drummer. No, we're sportin' a 40 voice choir with Mrs. Martin on the keyboard!
We arrived with about three minutes to spare, our kids mounted the risers in their matching uniforms and God, Himself, moved into the chapel. "Blessed Be The Name" was first, and it was like they'd been doing this all their lives. Then Ethan stepped to the mic and led us in "Open the Eyes of My Heart." God was not only in the chapel, but now He was moving in the hearts of all of us. A standing ovation erupted from the congregation.
Will and Hudson shared about Guatemala, by focusing on God's Word (which, by the way, "will not return void"). Then Sumara and Hailey sang in front of our group the great song, "I Know My Redeemer Lives." Another standing ovation from the congregation.
Eric recited Psalm 15 from memory; and again, I was reminded that God's Word does not return void. The message was simple: "Who Can Hang Out With God?" Eric had already said it, "Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts."
In a chapel that was focused on God's presence and God's Word, we experienced God's presence!
Well, I have continued to get e mails about what a blessing the time there at CVCA was for all who were in attendance. Thanks to all who served in those moments so faithfully, so we could all know God more deeply.
Yep, wish all of you had been there.
Let's thank Him: Dear Heavenly Father, we asked You to help us honor You with our lives and ministry when You gave us opportunity to serve You. Thank You for being so faithful in allowing us to be used by You for Your glory. I pray this in the name and nature of Jesus, Amen.
Proud of you,
Pastor Wilson
So it was a couple of Thursdays ago. Some of you were there - about 40 singers from our South Campus, 3 young men from our North Campus, one teacher and a dozen chaperoning moms were on hand.
What happened? Well, let me try to tell you, but let me warn you in advance - it might be one of those "I guess you had to be there" times.
Seventh and Eighth grade Chaplains from CVCA came to our South Campus to give a wonderful chapel. Ian Yoder, a CHCS graduate, did much of the speaking. Wow, we were sure proud of him! Many of the students on the CVCA ministry team were CHCS graduates as well. In the process we were invited to lead in a chapel for CVCA seventh and eighth graders.
The day arrived - Thursday, March 8th. We loaded our Worship Team on the bus. Now, our Worship Team doesn't consist of two singers, a guitar player, a guy on bass and a drummer. No, we're sportin' a 40 voice choir with Mrs. Martin on the keyboard!
We arrived with about three minutes to spare, our kids mounted the risers in their matching uniforms and God, Himself, moved into the chapel. "Blessed Be The Name" was first, and it was like they'd been doing this all their lives. Then Ethan stepped to the mic and led us in "Open the Eyes of My Heart." God was not only in the chapel, but now He was moving in the hearts of all of us. A standing ovation erupted from the congregation.
Will and Hudson shared about Guatemala, by focusing on God's Word (which, by the way, "will not return void"). Then Sumara and Hailey sang in front of our group the great song, "I Know My Redeemer Lives." Another standing ovation from the congregation.
Eric recited Psalm 15 from memory; and again, I was reminded that God's Word does not return void. The message was simple: "Who Can Hang Out With God?" Eric had already said it, "Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts."
In a chapel that was focused on God's presence and God's Word, we experienced God's presence!
Well, I have continued to get e mails about what a blessing the time there at CVCA was for all who were in attendance. Thanks to all who served in those moments so faithfully, so we could all know God more deeply.
Yep, wish all of you had been there.
Let's thank Him: Dear Heavenly Father, we asked You to help us honor You with our lives and ministry when You gave us opportunity to serve You. Thank You for being so faithful in allowing us to be used by You for Your glory. I pray this in the name and nature of Jesus, Amen.
Proud of you,
Pastor Wilson
Sunday, March 18, 2012
"MissrPassr"
Our very awesome Preschoolers at Chapel Hill Christian School couldn't get much cooler!
Mrs. Jennings and Mrs. Truthan do such a remarkable job teaching these three and four year olds about Jesus.
Something I found out about these little guys is that they interact with me like I was just another kid in their class. I like that. They do this minus one distinguishing feature: they have given me a title.
They call me MissrPassr Wilson. How do they arrive at this foreign language? Well, they know I'm Mister Wilson because there is a Mrs. Wilson, my wife, who teaches pre-kindergarten. And they know that I am a pastor. When they hook it all together and leave out those difficult "Ts", it comes out "missrpassr."
The amazing thing is that this title has been issued to me on both north and south campuses in preschool and the preschoolers never interact between campuses. I guess it's a preschool thing!
One morning I was standing in the hall and heard, "MissrPassr Wilson, MissrPassr Wilson!" When I could find no person attached to the call, I thought maybe I was beginning to hear voices! I was finally able, however, to locate the caller after the third "MissrPassr Wilson!" There sticking her head out from underneath the stall in the bathroom was one of our precious preschoolers just tryin' to make a little conversation, cuz' she heard my voice in the hallway.
So you know that this kinda thing, gets me to thinkin'!
These little people want to show their respect, so they say "Missr." They also want to show love, affection and identity, so they say "Passr."
It's the kind of relationship into which God invites us through Christ. First, there must be a holy awe of God as our creator. Hebrews 12:28-29 comes to mind, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."
And, through Jesus, God invites us into friendship, as well. Remember Jesus talking with His disciples about "Vines and Branches," when He said, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his mater's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you."
If we have a "MissrPassr" in heaven, we ought to call out to Him from wherever we are and whenever we can. These preschoolers are challenging us, aren't they? If we hear God's voice, we ought to call back with reverence, awe and love to the One who loved us and gave Himself for us!
Let's pray about it! Most Awesome and Holy Father, we want You to talk to us. And when You do, we promise to listen and talk back. Thank You for being our God and our Friend! In Jesus' name, Amen.
Proud of you,
MissrPassr Wilson
Mrs. Jennings and Mrs. Truthan do such a remarkable job teaching these three and four year olds about Jesus.
Something I found out about these little guys is that they interact with me like I was just another kid in their class. I like that. They do this minus one distinguishing feature: they have given me a title.
They call me MissrPassr Wilson. How do they arrive at this foreign language? Well, they know I'm Mister Wilson because there is a Mrs. Wilson, my wife, who teaches pre-kindergarten. And they know that I am a pastor. When they hook it all together and leave out those difficult "Ts", it comes out "missrpassr."
The amazing thing is that this title has been issued to me on both north and south campuses in preschool and the preschoolers never interact between campuses. I guess it's a preschool thing!
One morning I was standing in the hall and heard, "MissrPassr Wilson, MissrPassr Wilson!" When I could find no person attached to the call, I thought maybe I was beginning to hear voices! I was finally able, however, to locate the caller after the third "MissrPassr Wilson!" There sticking her head out from underneath the stall in the bathroom was one of our precious preschoolers just tryin' to make a little conversation, cuz' she heard my voice in the hallway.
So you know that this kinda thing, gets me to thinkin'!
These little people want to show their respect, so they say "Missr." They also want to show love, affection and identity, so they say "Passr."
It's the kind of relationship into which God invites us through Christ. First, there must be a holy awe of God as our creator. Hebrews 12:28-29 comes to mind, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."
And, through Jesus, God invites us into friendship, as well. Remember Jesus talking with His disciples about "Vines and Branches," when He said, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his mater's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you."
If we have a "MissrPassr" in heaven, we ought to call out to Him from wherever we are and whenever we can. These preschoolers are challenging us, aren't they? If we hear God's voice, we ought to call back with reverence, awe and love to the One who loved us and gave Himself for us!
Let's pray about it! Most Awesome and Holy Father, we want You to talk to us. And when You do, we promise to listen and talk back. Thank You for being our God and our Friend! In Jesus' name, Amen.
Proud of you,
MissrPassr Wilson
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
By Grace Through Faith
I don't know if you were there or not; but I was, and I was fairly well blown away. "Where?" you ask. At the performance of our first grade choir at the Green Campus. You'll have to ask Mrs. Seacrest about the history, but somehow it became a tradition for our sixth graders and our first graders to sing and to put on a musical at Christmas.
The gym was packed with students and parents; and I was thinking, "These first graders are gonna be scared by all these people. I don't know if they'll be able sing so the crowd will even hear them. I'm not sure this is gonna work out!"
Silly me.
Not only did they sing, but they sang with enthusiasm and joy; and they filled the gym with music! As I watched them I remembered that this was the class that had invited me to their picnic just last year when they were in kindergarten. Two of the children that befriended me immediately when I started my new job were Grace and Faith from this class.
I located them in the choir and sure enough they were singing with mouths wide open, totally caught up in the message of Christmas. Faith was singing so hard that she had her head thrown back and her hands placed firmly on her hips; I guess just to brace herself, so she didn't go backwards off the risers. Amazing!
Many of us older types were wiping our eyes; you'll know why when you're our age.
It got me to thinkin' of a song and a Scripture. Amazing Grace and Ephesians 2:8-9.
Yes, our girls Grace and Faith are Amazing, but even more Amazing is God's Grace that I can receive through Faith.
Get ready for a big word kids: REDEMPTION. It means that God's free gift (His Grace) is to buy us back from being stuck in and stained by sin. We receive the gift by believing, yes, trusting our lives to the person of Jesus as the One who bought this gift by His death and resurrection.
So Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by Grace you have been saved, through Faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."
Hey, Grace! Hey Faith! Thanks for the reminder!
Dear Lord, thank you for first graders that sing with all their might about Your coming to earth in the person of Jesus. We are grateful again this morning that you came to rescue us, "rob our sin and make us holy." Give us Your full Faith in Your Amazing Grace! In Jesus' name, Amen.
Proud of you,
Pastor Wilson
The gym was packed with students and parents; and I was thinking, "These first graders are gonna be scared by all these people. I don't know if they'll be able sing so the crowd will even hear them. I'm not sure this is gonna work out!"
Silly me.
Not only did they sing, but they sang with enthusiasm and joy; and they filled the gym with music! As I watched them I remembered that this was the class that had invited me to their picnic just last year when they were in kindergarten. Two of the children that befriended me immediately when I started my new job were Grace and Faith from this class.
I located them in the choir and sure enough they were singing with mouths wide open, totally caught up in the message of Christmas. Faith was singing so hard that she had her head thrown back and her hands placed firmly on her hips; I guess just to brace herself, so she didn't go backwards off the risers. Amazing!
Many of us older types were wiping our eyes; you'll know why when you're our age.
It got me to thinkin' of a song and a Scripture. Amazing Grace and Ephesians 2:8-9.
Yes, our girls Grace and Faith are Amazing, but even more Amazing is God's Grace that I can receive through Faith.
Get ready for a big word kids: REDEMPTION. It means that God's free gift (His Grace) is to buy us back from being stuck in and stained by sin. We receive the gift by believing, yes, trusting our lives to the person of Jesus as the One who bought this gift by His death and resurrection.
So Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by Grace you have been saved, through Faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."
Hey, Grace! Hey Faith! Thanks for the reminder!
Dear Lord, thank you for first graders that sing with all their might about Your coming to earth in the person of Jesus. We are grateful again this morning that you came to rescue us, "rob our sin and make us holy." Give us Your full Faith in Your Amazing Grace! In Jesus' name, Amen.
Proud of you,
Pastor Wilson
Monday, January 30, 2012
Fixing Wheels
Over the fall I was watching Alexandra's dad walk through the parking lot. He had a slight limp. I asked him about his "wheels (meaning his leg)." He said something like, "Torn ACL (hurt knee); gonna need surgery." I like a man that gets to the point with as few words as possible.
As we moved from fall to winter I noticed that the limp had moved from slight to fairly major. And as he walked, I could tell by the look on his face that every step was pretty painful. It was a good-sized task to walk from the car to the entryway of the school. I hoped, as I watched, that he wouldn't slip on a slick place. Yep, you guessed it; he'd had the surgery. And now the walking was what would help him get better quicker. Boy, was he determined!
We exchanged the normal pleasantries as he walked by with his precious pre-schooler on a few occasions. Then one morning he stopped. I could tell that all this walking on a stiff and painful "wheel" had got him to thinkin', but I wasn't quite ready for how deep that thinking had been. He said something like, "It's amazing that when my knee was injured on the inside it looked normal on the outside. But for it to be truly healed, it needed to be cut open and repaired which caused a bunch of pain and a pretty good sized scar on the outside."
Wow! Does that get you to thinkin', or what?! So, for example, sometimes our relationships look just fine on the outside, but there is something that's needs repaired between friends. It takes the painful task of an apology and the granting of forgiveness for healing to take place.
Do you know who really understands this? God. God looked down at His creation and saw that they needed surgery so sin and its effects could be removed. He did the most costly and painful thing possible! John 3:16 says that He "so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son." God's gift of grace was very costly; it cost Jesus a very painful death, but Jesus purchased healing and eternal life for all who believe!
Our role is to receive His gift by faith in humility. It may not be easy to admit we have the need for His forgiveness, but it is absolutely necessary in order for us to "fix the wheels" of our friendship with Him.
Let's thank God for His "unspeakable gift!" Dear Lord, we are so deeply grateful that You paid such a high price for us. Thank You for the healing and forgiveness that are ours through Your gift of love. Help us, Lord, to constantly extend Your healing and forgiveness to others with a willing heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Proud of you,
Pastor Wilson
As we moved from fall to winter I noticed that the limp had moved from slight to fairly major. And as he walked, I could tell by the look on his face that every step was pretty painful. It was a good-sized task to walk from the car to the entryway of the school. I hoped, as I watched, that he wouldn't slip on a slick place. Yep, you guessed it; he'd had the surgery. And now the walking was what would help him get better quicker. Boy, was he determined!
We exchanged the normal pleasantries as he walked by with his precious pre-schooler on a few occasions. Then one morning he stopped. I could tell that all this walking on a stiff and painful "wheel" had got him to thinkin', but I wasn't quite ready for how deep that thinking had been. He said something like, "It's amazing that when my knee was injured on the inside it looked normal on the outside. But for it to be truly healed, it needed to be cut open and repaired which caused a bunch of pain and a pretty good sized scar on the outside."
Wow! Does that get you to thinkin', or what?! So, for example, sometimes our relationships look just fine on the outside, but there is something that's needs repaired between friends. It takes the painful task of an apology and the granting of forgiveness for healing to take place.
Do you know who really understands this? God. God looked down at His creation and saw that they needed surgery so sin and its effects could be removed. He did the most costly and painful thing possible! John 3:16 says that He "so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son." God's gift of grace was very costly; it cost Jesus a very painful death, but Jesus purchased healing and eternal life for all who believe!
Our role is to receive His gift by faith in humility. It may not be easy to admit we have the need for His forgiveness, but it is absolutely necessary in order for us to "fix the wheels" of our friendship with Him.
Let's thank God for His "unspeakable gift!" Dear Lord, we are so deeply grateful that You paid such a high price for us. Thank You for the healing and forgiveness that are ours through Your gift of love. Help us, Lord, to constantly extend Your healing and forgiveness to others with a willing heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Proud of you,
Pastor Wilson
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Fully Charged
This is John; I am one of those sixth graders at Chapel Hill Christian School. Pastor Wilson is letting me write in the blog today.
I really like music. Country, rock, gospel - almost anything. I have an I pod to hold this music, so I can listen to it.
The thing is this I pod is six years old, and it's almost as big as a computer (not quite, but you know what I mean). This I pod can only play two songs before running out of power. I have to constantly keep it in the charger, or it won't work.
Of course, my I pod got me to thinkin'. Without a main source of power my I pod won't work. That's like it is in our lives. If we don't stay plugged into God, our lives will start to break down.
John 15:4 says, "Remain in Me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
We don't always stay close to God. We may think we can live without Him. If we try life without Him, things will begin to fall apart. Just like my I pod without a charger, we need God's power to keep our lives rockin' and to be a light for Christ!
Let's pray over it! Dear Lord, please help us stay connected to You and learn to love You more deeply each day. In Jesus' name, Amen.
I really like music. Country, rock, gospel - almost anything. I have an I pod to hold this music, so I can listen to it.
The thing is this I pod is six years old, and it's almost as big as a computer (not quite, but you know what I mean). This I pod can only play two songs before running out of power. I have to constantly keep it in the charger, or it won't work.
Of course, my I pod got me to thinkin'. Without a main source of power my I pod won't work. That's like it is in our lives. If we don't stay plugged into God, our lives will start to break down.
John 15:4 says, "Remain in Me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
We don't always stay close to God. We may think we can live without Him. If we try life without Him, things will begin to fall apart. Just like my I pod without a charger, we need God's power to keep our lives rockin' and to be a light for Christ!
Let's pray over it! Dear Lord, please help us stay connected to You and learn to love You more deeply each day. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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